Every now and then a story comes along that catches people’s attention, not only because it’s well written, but because it takes a familiar subject and turns it over and under and sideways, revealing all of the hidden, seething life forms underneath.
Plenty of stories feature spiders, the creeping, crawling symbols of our own skittering human psyches and the webs we weave, but what makes “Baby’s Breath” unique is the way Leigh uses the familiar critter to explore one of humankind’s more profound and life-changing events—childbirth, and, even more terrifying, its consequences.

Birth forms the literal narrative framework, but it’s also the metaphorical set-up for the many potentially dangerous, secret things gestating in the darkness of our fears, insecurities, and suspicions.

Leigh is particularly effective at conveying how our fragile, carefully woven concepts of both ourselves and the people we love and make a life with can tear apart as quickly and profoundly as any spider’s web…with horrifying results.

This story first appeared in the anthology Bugs: Tales That Slither, Creep, and Crawl, which is also recommended for readers interested in more creepy insect tales across a range of genres. This special edition of Baby’s Breath will make a fine addition to any collector’s shelf.

Just read Baby's Breathby @thespiderbox. About as terrifying a final line as I've read...

For me, getting feedback from other writers about our work is important. Obviously, it's important for us to reach readers, as well.

"Baby's Breath" is a story I wrote without thinking what effect it would have on readers. It was something I lost myself in and just wrote. But as I've mentioned before, it is a very personal story, and I hope it leaves a mark.

I've also mentioned that it actually started off as a drabble, which is a hundred word micro-fiction piece--that was called "Transference," and it was first published on Hellnotes here. Later, it was podcast on The Wicked Library as part of an episode which featured three of my stories. You can find Episode 503: Three Tales from Sydney Leigh here. Host Nelson W. Pyles read "Corpus Delectable" and "Lust for Life," but had his wife read "Transference," which later became the first paragraph of "Baby's Breath," to give it a more powerful effect.

It worked. I just got word that "Transference" is a Finalist in the Best Speculative Fiction Audio Drama Long Form Category of the Parsec Awards. The gala ceremony will be held at DragonCon over Labor Day weekend in Atlanta.

Many thanks to Nelson and Maddie Von Stark for featuring my work on their podcast! And congratulations to them for having their show recognized. I think that whoever reads--or listens to--our work, we hope for the same result: that our words make a difference. Strike nerves. Touch places that resonate on deep levels. Grab hold and not let go.

One of my favorite reader reviews of "Baby's Breath" was this one:

This "gut punch" will continue to remain with me as much as Richard Matheson's Born Of Man And Woman. I can't recommend it enough.

Oh, the irony...and any comparison to Matheson is, well, an insanely incredible compliment.

Anyway, speaking of terrifying...this is my first solo endeavor, and I am grateful for all the positive feedback I have received from readers, other writers, and reviewers I respect in our community. I'm looking forward to the story getting into the hands of more readers and seeing what they have to say, as well.

"Baby's Breath" Limited Signed & Numbered Edition Chapbooks in the Wild...and going Live on Amazon

﻿I'm thrilled to announce that the Second Edition of "Baby's Breath" is live on Amazon. The paperback chapbook is just slightly different than the First Edition—unsigned and unnumbered, of course, and will be followed by an e-book edition. It is also available on the CreateSpace eStore. Matt Edginton, VP Wizard, made a neat page for it on the Villipede Publications website, which has blurbs, details , and other info.

This was actually supposed to be released on Monday, the same day I'll be going to Mass General Hospital to get the pathology results on my recent surgery. But I'm hoping the timing is good fortune, and that Amazon was just a little eager to make it available before I head in for my news.

There have been so many great things happening lately—it's actually hard to keep track―and yes, I've been sick and have had a lot problems with my health getting in the way of being as productive, creative, involved, and efficient as I'd like to be. But I'm trying to keep up. And by that mean keep a positive attitude, as well.

And although there's much I want to say about all the good news there is to share, I'm going to keep this post short and sweet―(inserted retroactively―no, I'm not) and just post all the great pictures I have of the "Baby's Breath" chapbooks in the wild and some things about the people who bought or sent photos of them. (Okay, so there's a bit more here, but bear with me...)﻿

Daniel Knauf―#1.

I'm talking to Daniel on the phone as I type this, and he's revealing his plans for global domination to me. While I won't share those with you, I will tell you that I would not have put this chapbook together without him. He's not just a writer, creator, director, producer, or poet―he's also an artist―and so besides helping me with the design and layout of the interior and cover, it was not until the *very* last minute that I rather casually asked, "Do you think I should put blurbs on the back?"

Seconds later, I got my first one, which I have committed to memory, and will never forget:

"Sydney Leigh's narrative squirms into the deepest, darkest, most primitive folds of your lizard brain, curls up and oozes dread." ~Daniel Knauf, Creator, Carnivàle,Writer-Producer, The BlacklistI am so grateful for all the help and support Daniel has given me along the way, both with this and my other projects. He is also one of the best friends that I've ever had. And he doesn't need much more introduction here from me, I'm sure.

A man whose opinion matters: Tony Tremblay, aka T.T. Zuma

This was one of our first "Taco Society" meetings at Shorty's, which eventually led to our monthly show on Goffstown TV, "The Taco Society Presents." If you don't know Tony, well, your life isn't as rich as it could be. He's a great man, a fantastic writer, an avid reader and reviewer for Horror World, and now he's a TV star on top of it all. I haven't met his beautiful wife Paula yet, but it's no surprise she looks like a model and sounds like a really wonderful person.

Tony does a phenomenal job hosting our show, and I am so proud to be a part of it along with him, Gardner Goldsmith, and Phillip Perron. If you happen to get the local channel our show airs on, you can see the schedule for it here. You can also see Episode One and Twoon YouTube, and check out our latest episode where we interview members of Tony's writing group The Blank Page here. He's got a story in ANTHOLOGY: YEAR THREE, which recently debuted at AnthoCon, and also co-edited EULOGIES IIIwith Nanci Kalanta and Christopher Jones,out now on Amazon with stories from Ray Garton, Brian Hodge, David Morell, and more.

Spectacular photo courtesy of MJ Preston

Mark "Mj" Preston (aka "Nark") is a writer, artist, photographer, ice road trucker, military veteran, and all around really cool guy. His novels THE EQUINOX and ACADIA EVENT have generated some buzz...check out his site for more information on those here.

I do love Kristi Peterson Schoonover...so I'm sneaking in a couple pics of us from AnthoCon here just because.

Bob "The Miracle" Meracle

Bob and I were both at the Bram Stoker Awards Weekend and 25th Anniversary World Horror Convention 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia, but never crossed paths. We made up for it in Portsmouth, though, and have been talking ever since―and I am really glad he drove all the way from Wisconsin to stay at America's Worst Inn and attend AnthoCon. We had a blast! He's been wonderful to me. Such a good man. Thanks for the friendship, support, and encouragement, Bob.

Nelson Pyles

What can I say about Nelson? He's very tall, for one. So tall! And he takes great selfies with books...hmm. What else?He also has a killer voice, and hosted the popular podcast The Wicked Library for an infinite number of phenomenal episodes. I was fortunate enough to have him read my short fiction on Episode 503. To make it more effective, he even had his wife read "Transference," which is the opening paragraph of "Baby's Breath" and was originally published on Hellnotes as a Horror in a Hundred. Nelson rocks. Check out his author page here. He just sent me his novel DEMONS, DOLLS, AND MILKSHAKES, and has been checking on me since the day he knew I was ill. He is a great guy, and extremely talented. Nelson. Nelson Pyles. He's got a cool name, to boot.

Aaron Sterns—#16—Australia.

To be honest, it still blows my mind that Aaron Sterns has been such a source of support for me with this story. I'm a huge fan of his, and respect his work―and work ethic―a great deal. What he gleaned from "Baby's Breath" was exactly what I wanted to hear from a reader, and it meant the world to me to hear it from someone like him.

No doubt you know him for the WOLF CREEK & WOLF CREEK 2 movies, but if you haven't read WOLF CREEK: ORIGIN, his novel co-written with Greg McLean, please, do yourself a favor and check it out. It is one of my very favorite novels...just an incredible look into the shaping of a killer like Mick Taylor, and brilliantly written. Aaron has some exciting projects in the works, so I'm anxious to see what's in store for him. He is a wonderful man―so humble―and such a source of inspiration.

Gard is the best! He has become such a dear friend to me, I simply don't have enough room or time to go on about him. And I know...I said I would keep this short...He is so wonderful at helping and encouraging people with whatever they do, and is one of the most intelligent people I have ever met. We have a lot of fun on our show, but he also hosts his own show called Liberty Conspiracy and you can listen to his podcasts of those here. His writing is amazing. He has done too much for me to mention, but I recently read his novella BITE, which I loved, and he and I are sharing pages with our poetry in the upcoming CHIRAL MAD 3 anthology, edited by the one and only Michael Bailey. The Written Backwards panels we recently took part in at WHC Atlanta and AnthoCon were phenomenal. I still need to do a recap on those...Thanks for the support, Gard. You are going to continue to do great things, and I consider myself fortunate to call you a friend and a peer.

Michael Randolph―#31―all the way to New Delhi, India.

He doesn't let me call him my boss, so I will call myself his boss. Well, okay. Maybe not. Michael has been great to me, and I am thoroughly enjoying my job at Eldritch Press as the Chief Editor of the Novels Division. My health issues have been a bit of a challenge, but I am trying to rise to the occasion because I respect Michael very much and love what he is doing at Eldritch. I also love editing, and look forward to our future projects together. He is so supportive and helpful...and a great friend. Thank God they let him out of India. He has an author page...check it out if you haven't yet. On top of being a small press publisher, he's a really talented poet, short story writer, and more. Check out his website, as well. I don't want to gush, since I was supposed to be taking the day off.

Patrick %$^#! Lacey. That little #%$^@* of a &^%$#*.

I mean, really. Just look at him.

I used mind control on Patrick to buy a copy of "Baby's Breath" AND a copy of INKBLOTS AND BLOOD SPOTS, Michael Bailey's collection of short stories and poetry illustrated by Daniele Serra. Then, I forced him to be a guest on our television show this month, where I will place him under extreme duress and determine how he came to be such a extraordinary writer and cool human being with ridiculously great taste in music (and books―obviously!―),a perfectly sarcastic sense of humor, and bad ass tattoos all by the age of like, what, sixteen? *Note to self: We'll need a fake ID for Shorty's.

I also stole this photo from Sandy Shelonchik (whose name I do know how to pronounce) because it just says it so much about how awesome this guy is. Read his work in the BUGS anthology in which "Baby's Breath" originally appeared, CHIRAL MAD 1, WIDOWMAKERS, and more. Then watch him on our next Episode of "The Taco Society Presents," taping July 22nd! No doubt he'll steal the show, and possibly some of the set props...we'll have to keep an eye on him.

Val Tiley, aka Morgan Griffith, has been a friend since I first read her work way back. She is a fantastic writer, and also happens to have pet rats, which we have in common. When she recently got two new babies, she let me name one Silas, who was too lazy to pose with my book. Little Sweet came to the rescue...Silas is below.

Look for Morgan's excellent flash fiction in IN CREEPS THE NIGHT, as well as poetry in THE HORROR ZINE and short fiction in various anthologies, including the upcoming A MYTHOS GRIMMLY anthology from Wanderer's Haven Publications.She's also an extremely talented artist, and has sent me cards with original artwork that I treasure dearly. Check out the Christmas card I got last year.

Cool, huh?

John Foster, who bought a copy at WHC and put it with some good company!

John thought "Baby's Breath" was poetry, but that's okay. Why? Because he has a novel called MISTER WHITE coming out this fall with only like, my favorite press, ever, Grey Matter Press, run by Anthony Rivera and Sharon Lawson, as well as a novel called DEAD MEN due out this month from Perpetual Motion Machine Publishing.John F.D. Taff (who needs no introduction) has called MISTER WHITE "frenetically paced, spectacularly gory and eerie as hell."

John Foster also loves dogs and has a cutie called Coraline. Enough said.

The wonderful Kenneth Cain—#6.

Kenneth is a wonderful writer and person. He is a champion for other writers and very humble about his own work, and always seems to show up in Facebook chats with cheery emoticons and inspiring messages when you least expect it but need it most. He created this awesome list of markets for writers on his website and has appeared in numerous anthologies and magazines. He's a very cool human being, and one of the few people I know who can keep a saltwater aquarium running and the things in it alive.

Another bit of exciting news about Kenneth is that he will be publishing a poetry collection with Eldritch Press, VOYAGE OF A MANY DARKENED SOUL.

I appreciate him more than he knows and am looking forward to meeting him in person one day.

The post-AnthoCon pile of books & music Dr. Alex and B.E. Scully took back to Oregon.

Where to begin with the Scullys? I know I said I would keep this short. I realize we're way past that now. So, bullets. 1. Firbolg Publishing is an amazing press. They publish writers of the highest caliber, produce stunning anthologies every year, and give back to the community and greater world around them in endless ways.

2. Dr. Alex Scullyis a brilliant editor, and more well-versed in Gothic literature than anyone I know. She is also intensely dedicated to authors and the writing community.

3. She and B.E. areamazing individuals, and so cool to be around there is just no way I can put all that into words.

4. B.E. is an exceptional writer―she definitely stands out among others in our industry―but is as humble as she is gifted. So you should check out her website and not miss out on any chance you get to read her work.

5. I was lucky enough to edit B.E.'s first YA Novel, THE TOWER OF TOGETHER, which is a lovely story, and would be a great gift for any younger readers on your wish list. The cover is spectacular, and also done by Mikio Murakamiof Silent Q Design, who did "Baby's Breath" for me.

I just can't say enough about the Scullys, so I'll leave it at that. Well and this awesome picture of them from AnthoCon. But that's it.

"Mommas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Writers..."

Adam House—Canada—#19.

Adam has always been extremely supportive of both me and the work we do at Villipede Publications. He is a champion for indie presses and authors, and a fine writer as well. Check out his story in our first horror and dark speculative fiction anthology, Darkness Ad Infinitum. "The Song that Crawled" even got a mention in a review from Dave Simms over at Horror World―you can read it here.

JG Faherty and his post-WHC pile, of which I am proud to be a part!

I met Greg Faherty for the first time at the 2014 World Horror Convention in Portland, and last May we had an absolute blast at Daniel Knauf's Carnivale party at the World Horror Convention in Atlanta. He and I traded books―I got a copy of his novel THE CURE released by Samhain Publishing in May. Check out JG's Facebook page and website to stay up to date on his releases. He's a fantastic writer and truly one of the coolest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting in my entire life.Plus, he is a master at taking selfies...that's me, him, and my imaginary roommate, Ted, who drove all the way from Kentucky to be in that picture with us.

Selfie master.

Andrew "Freud" Freudenberg...all the way to England. #2.

Freud is difficult to explain in words. He's a very unique individual―by unique I mean awesome and extraordinary―and I get a little choked up thinking about him since he and his beautiful wife Sallyann have been so kind to me. They have three beautiful boys and the coolest accents you've ever heard, if you're not from England too. They are also the proud parents of a Pug named Gomez. Freud is a great writer, an amazing father, just played Scrabble 19 hours ago, and has killer taste in music. He also dons a sublime beard and LOVES to read...he's got a bit of an addition to books, methinks. If you know Freud, this is not news to you. He's just the kind of person you feel lucky know once you do.

The Freudster

The lovely and oh-so-talented Julya Oui...all the way to Malaysia.

Julya has been supporting my work for so long now...I consider her a great friend and and am In awe of both her creative abilities and altruistic gestures. She is, quite simply, an amazing human being. In her neat blog post "I Am No. 8" she posted this picture and the one below, which is the note card I included with the chapbook.

I met TG for the first time at AnthoCon, and he was as cool as I expected―even more so. We had so much fun! He's someone else i can share a love of metal with, so we have that in common...and Andrew Wolter, as well. We had to divide our time up with him at the con, but we did pretty well, I think!Check out TG's Amazon Author page here for all of his publications. He totally rocks!

Gard and Phil

I look like the cat who ate the canary, but in all actuality, I had just eaten a monster burrito. More on Phil Perron in a bit.

Jonathan Lees

I nearly died when I ran into my old North Andover High classmate Jonathan Lees at the World Horror Convention in Atlanta! If I remember correctly, we were standing outside with Jack Ketchumwhen we saw each other. I could NOT believe it. I was like, "I grew up with a Jonathan Lees..." as if there were no possible way it could be him. I mean, what are the odds?

Jonathan and I have a lot of catching up to do, and I can't wait to find out what he's been up to all these years. I'm so glad to be back in touch and know that I have a fellow in horror from my hometown! It was so kind of him to buy a copy of the book, and I am anxious to see some of his work soon as well.

Aaron Gudmunson—#4.

Aaron Gudmunson is awesome. I just love his work, and soon I'll be editing his novel for Eldritch Press! He was kind enough to provide a blurb for "Baby's Breath," and has always been supportive of me in all of my endeavors. He's just an overall super cool guy. Be sure to check out his fantastic story "The Morgue" in Firbolg Publishing's Enter at Your Own Risk: Dreamscapes into Darknessas well as SNOW GLOBE, his impressive debut novel.

Bob and me at AnthoCon in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

﻿I tried to sell Bob TWO COPIES, but instead he went home and mailed me all of his t-shirts. He even sent Holden treats! We are so lucky to have such great friends.﻿

The guys.

I already talked about Tony and Gard, so I'm going to focus on the guy on the left here: Phillip Perron. Phil is the whole reason I'm typing this post, this epic post that started long ago and was supposed to be short and sweet but has taken on a life of its own...

But, he liked it, and sent it off to great British writer and director Simon Rumley, who was writing the Foreword of the anthology, and who said some amazing things about my story along with some other stories in the anthology, including Phil's―he called Phil's "dreamlike and almost Lynchian...enigmatic and beguiling."

﻿Phil is a character, and incredibly intelligent. I LOVE his writing, and we can talk about movies non-stop...in fact, check out Dark Discussions, his podcast about horror films. Be sure to check out the Great Old Ones websitefor submission opportunities and releases, as well.They have some great work out already, and more lined up. I started reading the CRYPTIDSanthology and absolutely loved Simon Rumley's story, "The Kind Wolf of Surrey Downs." I'm sure there are more must-reads in that one.

We have a great time at our "Taco Society" meetings, and I swear, he is so funny he could do stand-up comedy―but when we go on air for "The Taco Society Presents," he is as serious as a heart attack and hosts that show like nobody's business.

So...I have Phil to thank for accepting this story into the anthology, for sending it to Simon, for choosing it as the anchor tale, for supporting and encouraging me along the way as it was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award and won the Best Horror Short Story Award in the P&E Reader's Poll, and then for allowing me to reprint it with Villipede Publications as a chapbook to take to the World Horror Convention and AnthoCon for readings and signings...

And finally, for allowing me to release it on Amazon today.﻿Print Edition available now, e-book version to follow. ﻿

Thanks to all of you, as well. I could not have done this without your help, guidance, encouragement, and support.

Bram Stoker Awards, WHC Atlanta, and other news...

I could not have been more shocked to learn that "Baby's Breath" made it through to the Final Ballot of the Bram Stoker Awards, released last month by theHorror Writers Association.

You can find the full list of nominees here. Best of luck to all the finalists, and congratulations on your nominations!

I wrote a longer post about this onFacebook, but the simple truth is that this nomination is extremely humbling and all very surreal.

There are a lot of people I feel are a direct result of any successes I achieve in my writing or otherwise, so really, most of my posts end up consisting of a long list of names anyway.

But this story has proven to be pivotal for me in a lot of ways...it was an accomplishment for me just to write to begin with, and Simon Rumley's words of praise about it in the Foreword of Bugs: Tales that Slither, Creep and Crawl quite literally meant the world to me.

Then to have it go on to win the award for Best Horror Short Story and now this is just mind blowing, really.

You can read "Baby's Breath" here. I'll also be bringing a limited number of chapbooks to the World Horror Convention in Atlanta and possiblyAnthoCon to sign, so if you'd like a copy, let me know. I'm working with an outrageously talented artist who I'm keeping under wraps for now. But I'm really excited. My eternal gratitude goes to the HWA and each and every member who felt my work was worthy of this prestigious nomination. It's something I will treasure for the rest of my life.I'm also very grateful toMarge Simon, who asked me to guest her Blood & Spades Column for the April issue of the HWA Newsletter. I've written an essay called "The Slow Bite of Horror's Tiny Teeth" and incorporated a few of my poems into the column, which was a lot of fun. Last month Michael Bailey guested the column and talked a lot about Inkblots and Blood Spots, the collectionVillipedereleased of his last November. He also included "Open Auras" and "All But the Things That Cannot Be Torn," two of my favorite poems from the collection.

Another reason I'm grateful to Marge is because she invited me to be on the Dark Poets Panel at this year's World Horror Convention. It's such an honor...and if you'll be in Atlanta for the con, I do hope you'll stop by.

In other words, if you're going, I'm looking forward to seeing you...and if you're not registered yet, you should be.

My imaginary roommate Ted is even making an appearance! Ted is driving all the way from Kentucky to be there...I can hardly believe it myself.

There are three people who won't be going that I'll miss dearly, though: Rose Blackthorn, Geno Mortensen, and Carl R. Moore. Those three were my WHC crew last year in Portland, and it won't be the same without them. But check out Rose's new release from Eldritch Press--I'm really proud of her--her first poetry collection, Thorns, Hearts and Thistlesis almost as beautiful as she is. And Carl has a novella called Torn From the Devil's Chest forthcoming from Charoin Coin Press, and his website has free stories, poems, and updates on the progress. Carl posts great reviews and also has another fantastic collection called Slash of Crimson and Other Stories coming out in the near future, as well.

Lastly, my interview with Jack Ketchum will appear in the Souvenir Book this year, which is really exciting. I absolutely loved reading his answers to my questions, and can't wait for you to see them, too. I was thrilled when Eric Guignard reached out to me to interview Jack for his Lifetime Achievement Award. Here's a picture of last year's Souvenir Book.

Anyway, to tie off, some of you know that my son has been in the hospital for a week now, and between my health issues and his, we've had an extremely challenging year. I'm certainly nervous about the timing of the convention and have been wrapped up in family matters here at home, but am really looking forward to seeing everyone and taking some time away to focus on my second love. I'm sure you all know what that is by now.

Author & Editor

﻿Sydney Leigh is the evil literary double of a mostly sane writer, editor, photographer, artist, English teacher, and native of the North Shore. Her poetry, short fiction, and reviews have appeared in numerous publications.

Her best friend is a Border Collie, and despite holding degrees in English, Psychology, and Graphic Design, she spends most of her free time doing her teenage son’s laundry and playing rock-paper-scissors with her imaginary roommate, Ted.